Homeotropic alignment in films of a mesogenic phthalocyanine depends on the nature of interactions with the surface

Discotic liquid crystals of transition metal complexes 47: synthesis of phthalocyanine-fullerene dyads showing spontaneous homeotropic alignment

In previous work, we successfully synthesized the first columnar liquid crystalline 1:1 phthalocyanine(Pc)-fullerene( C60 ) dyad, C12(OMalC60)PcCu (4), showing spontaneous homeotropic alignment, by using Bingel reaction. However, it gave undesirable 2:1 and 3:1 Pc- C60 by-products at the same time, so that the 1:1 Pc- C60 dyad (4) could be obtained in a very low yield (20%). On the other hand, in this work we have prepared novel Pc- C60 dyads, C12(OFbaC60)PcM (8: M = Co (a), Ni (b) and Cu (c)), by using Prato reaction. Very interestingly, it gave almost only the target 1:1 Pc- C60 dyads 8a–8c in very high yields (81–96%) with negligible amount of Pc- C60 by-products. These dyads 8a–8c and the precursor Pc derivatives were characterized by polarizing microscope, differential scanning calorimeter and temperature-dependent X-ray diffractometer. Thus, it was revealed that each of the dyads and precursors shows spontaneous homeotropic alignment in their Coltet mesophase.

Novel Electric Responsive Columnar Liquid Crystals based on Perylene Tetra sec-alkyl Ester Derivatives

A series of novel perylene tetra sec-alkyl ester compounds were successfully designed and synthesised. The photophysical properties were investigated and the UV absorption and fluorescence emission spectra displayed a mirror-image relationship. The compound PS8 showed the highest fluorescent quantum yield, while the fluorescence of PS8 was quenched in the aggregated state in mixed solvents. Moreover, the electrochemical properties of the perylene derivatives were studied to determine the molecules’ highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital levels by cyclic voltammetry. The most important result was that PS8 exhibited a columnar phase at room temperature and was responsive to an electric field. PS8 could perpendicularly orient to an applied electric field. In addition, highly oriented face-on alignment was achieved on indium tin oxide-covered glass by thermal annealing.

Discotic liquid crystals of transition metal complexes 44: synthesis of hexaphenoxy-substituted phthalocyanine derivatives showing spontaneous perfect homeotropic alignment

We have synthesized novel hexaphenoxy-substituted phthalocyanine derivatives, 2-(12-hydroxydodecyloxy)-3-methoxy-9,10,16,17,23,24-hexakis(3,4-di-n-alkoxyphenoxy)phthalocyaninato copper(II) (abbreviated as Cn(OC12OH)PcCu : n = 10, 12, 14), and investigated their columnar mesomorphism and homeotropic alignment property. These hexaphenoxy-substituted Pc derivatives could be successfully isolated and purified from the mixture products by polarity difference. It was revealed by using polarizing optical microscopic observations, differential scanning calorimetry and temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction studies that each of the hexaphenoxy-substituted Pc derivatives has plural mesophases, and that the tetragonal columnar (Coltet) mesophase shows spontaneous perfect homeotropic alignment between two non-surface-treated glass plates without any defects and polydomain boundaries.

Orientational packing of a confined discotic mesogen in the columnar phase

The stacking of discotic molecules (hexakis(alkoxy)diquinoxalino[2,3-a:2',3'-c]phenazines) in the columnar phase sandwiched between two flat glass substrates has been studied. The surface free energy of the substrates, measured by means of sessile drop technique, is found to have significant influence on the way that the discotic molecules anchor on the surface, and a steady thermal state of the system is crucial for a homogenous orientation of the discotic columns. On a surface of high free energy, the discotic molecules anchor with their disc-face toward the surface. A decrease in the surface free energy of the substrate causes the discotic columns to tilt away from the normal of the substrate.